Chair with access preventing means



Sept. 8, 1953 J. D. FOWLER ETAL CHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTING` MEANSFiled July 2, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 8, 1953 J. D. FowLl-:R ETALCHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTING MEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2, 1948JEFFERSON o' l NHIILHIIHIIIHVIIIII. IIHII Sept. 8, 1953 .1. D. FowLER ETAL 2,651,354

CHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTING MEANS Filed July 2, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 hIl 2 h 2 'l a s 5 I :l Il

J. D. FOWLER ETAL CHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTING MEANS Sept. 8,l 1953Filed July 2, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 SON PFL PH f7.

9 Sheets-Sheet 5 J. D. FOWLER ETAL CHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTING MEANSSept. 8, 1953 Filed July 2, 1948 Sept. 8, 1953 Filed July 2, 1948 J. D.FOWLER ETAL CHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTING MEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 abby/MMASept. 8, 1953 .J. D. FOWLER ETAL 2,651,354

CHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTING MEANS Filed July 2, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet '79 sheets-sheet 8 J. D. FOWLER ET AL CHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTING MEANSSept. 8, 1953 Filed July 2, 194s Sept 8, 1953 J. D. FowLr-:R ETAL2,651,354

CHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTING MEANS Filed July 2, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 9.27. JEF/F595 A744 pff f7. M42/GH,

@M QMRQM www@ be sufciently iiexible to Patented Sept. 8, 1953 2,651,354CHAIR WITH ACCESS PREVENTIN G MEANSy J eierson D. Fowler and Ralph A.Vaughn, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application July 2, 1948, Serial No. 36,708

26 Claims.

The present invention relates to chairs, and more particularly toimprovements in a coin controlled chair or seat of the type in which theuse of the chair may be authorized and permitted only after payment of acoin through conventional coin slot devices.

The coin controlled chair of this invention is primarily intended foruse as a shoe shine chair and is an improvement over the coin controlledshoe shine chair of our previous invention described in our co-pendingpatent application for U. S. Patent, Serial No. 656,850, filed March 25,1946. Coin controlled chairs of the type having means to prevent the useof the chair unless a coin is deposited as rental are well known and inour co-pending application We described a chair for use in shoe shiningestablishments so that the owner does not have to maintain a large staffof supervisors and cashiers, together with elaborate bookkeepingpractices in order to operate his business. Prior to this invention,however, the use of such coin controlled chairs for this purpose has notbeen entirely satisfactory in that at least one owners representativewould have to be present at all times in order to prevent any attemptsby either the customer or the shine boy to defeat the proper operationof the chairs. For example, if the shine boy is inclined to loiter inhis work and the customer does not object,

once the coin has been deposited in any of the if previous forms of coincontrolled chair constructions, the chair could remain continuouslyoccupied for an indenite period of time without the owners knowledge,while the shine boy consumes an excess of time to complete the shoeshine.

Additionally, with the previous forms of coin controlled chairconstructions which have been especially adapted for use as shoe shinechairs, it was possible for the shine boy improperly to hold the chairopen for a second customer and convert to his own use the revenue whichhad thus been diverted from the chair rental coin slot. This will beunderstood when it is pointed out that such chairs must be designed rstof all to provide safety and comfort for the customer and that thereforethe chair locking apparatus must prevent any possibility of injury to acustomer in opening or closing the chair.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide acombined coin controlled chair and register construction which uponpayment of a coin will authorize and permit the use of the chair for a,determinate period of time and which will automatically record theperiod of time of any unauthorized use of the chair.

It is also an important object of this invention to provide a coincontrolled chair construction having a pair of foot rests andspecifically intended for use as a shoe shine chair and further havingmeans to record the exact period elapsing from the time the foot restsare placed in their sockets until they are removed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an automaticallyoperated coin controlled chair having coin controlled hydraulic meansfor raising and lowering the chair back over the seat to open or closethe chair and to permit authorized use of the chair for a determinateperiod of time, and further having time controlled and associated weightor position responsive means to record and indicate the period of timeof any unauthorized use of the chair such as overtime seating or directinterference with the normal closing of the chair back to keep the chairopen beyond the authorized time.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a coin controlledchair construction having hydraulic operating means for opening andclosing the chair, together with a coin responsive electrical controlcircuit for the hydraulic operating means, and including an adjustablemaster time control element in the control circuit for adjustablypredetermining the length of the authorized period of time for using thechair and for initiating the operation of suitable time recorders forindicating the overtime or unauthorized use of the chair and the totalperiod of time during which the chair is open.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coin controlled chairespecially adapted for shoe shining establishments and having means forrecording the number of times the chair is opened or unlocked, togetherwith means to record the elapsed time during which the chair is in usefor shoe shining purposes, thus enabling the average time per shoe shinet0 be determined and providing a means for registering and checking thechair revenue.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become known withreference to the following specication and drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing two similar chairs of the inventionin side by side relation with one chair open and one chair closed;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the chair in closed position with aportion of the bottom side panel removed;

Fig. 3 is a iront elevational closed position;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the hydraulic pumpsystem and control valves;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are complementary parts of the wiring diagram for theelectric control circuit for the chair;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in side view of the chair inelevation of the chair arm enclosing the latch solenoid, latch registerand timers;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in side elevation of the chairarm enclosing the coin responsive control mechanisms; and

Fig. 11 is a front elevation similar to Fig. l0.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing wherein two chairs embodying thefeatures of this invention are shown in side by side relation, it willbe seen that each of the chairs has a lower step or platform I5, anupper or chair step and an upholstered seat back IB which is pivoted tothe back of the chair frame and adapted to be lowered to cover `the seatI2, as shown, to prevent access to the chair. A pair of removable footrests IIi and I5 are provided and the manner of` supporting the ootrests on the step will be later described in detail. Positioned beneaththe platform ld are a pair of drawers I5 and Il which y to contain theshoe shining equipment. A hinged door Ifl having a lock gives access toa large storage space in which the foot rests Iii and l5 may be Storedwhen not in use.

are adapted Louvres I9 and 23 are fitted to the seat back l i3 as shownand electric lights are positioned behind the louvres to provide readingillumination when the chair is open for occupancy.

rThe side arms 2| and 22 of each of the chairs are adapted to containcertain of the operating mechanisms shown in detail in Figures 8-11 ofthe drawings as will be later described, and are provided with covers ordoors 23 and 2d hinged respectively at and 25 and latched at 21 and 23.handles 29 and 35 are fastened to the covers 23 and 2d. The uppersurfaces of the side arms are upholstered at 5I and 32 to provide armrests which may be hinged at the top to be opened to provide access tomagazine storage racks within the arm rest. Contained within the sidearm 2| are the coin responsive devices, such as the 00in selector andslug rejector. A coin slot 34 t0- gether with a coin return chute 35 aremounted on the hinged cover 23. hinged cover 33 completes the generaldescription of the chair and its external appearance.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly Figures 2 and 3 for amore detailed description of the mechanical features of the chairwherein f a large part of the framework of the chair iS shown in dottedlines with some omissions in order to clarify the drawings, it will beseen that the chair frame includes the base frame members 4B, i l, d2and d3 fastened together, as shown, together with an additional basecross member 44, Fastened by welding or otherwise to the base membersllt, i-iI, d3 and Ml with triangular reinforcement gussets, such asshown at d5, are a number of vertical frame angle members, some or"which are shown at A diagonal frame member 5Il is provided on each sideof the chair.

The operating platform lil is supported on a number of right anglesupports, such as shown at 52, fastened to the iront frame cross member42, and a cross member 53 which is supported from the vertical supports45, 43, l5 and 5D. The shine equipment drawers I6 and il are supportedon conventional drawer runs such as shown at 5d. The chair step Ii isgenerally supported on frame members 55 and 5e which are fastened to thevertical supports [i8 and 49 and additional vertical frame members suchas shown at 51. The chair step Il is resiliently supported at the fronton a spring cushion 5t carried by a frame To assist a person in usingthe chair, grab An ash tray with a *tom of the sidearm 2|.

cross member 59 and a micro-switch 6i) '1s mounted for actuation by theweight of a person standing on the step II or resting a foot on the footrests It and I5. The foot rests Ill and I5 are removably7 supported insockets 5I and 62 mounted on the step II, and each of the foot restframe sockets is provided with a resilient wall surface in associationwith a micro-switch such as shown at 63 to be actuated when the ootrests are inserted in their sockets. The micro-switch 5d for foot restlli is not shown in Figures 3 and 4, although it is referred to andshown in Figure 7.

The seat l2 is generally supported on suitable horizontal frame members,some of which are shown at lll, 1I and 12. A spring cushion 13resiliently supports the front of the seat I2 and a number ofmicro-switches 14, i5, 16, 'H and 'I8 are mounted so as to be responsiveto the movement of the seat when a customer is seated. lt may bedesirable to distribute the microswitches 'Ill-I8 in such manner as toprevent their actuation unless the weight of a person is distributedover the seat as in a sitting position. This will be better understoodafter the automatic cycle of the machine is described.

The seat back It is pivotally supported at each side by a pivot 82 onthe gusset member 8| which is fastened to the arm rest frame member anda vertical support such as Ill. t will be 11nderstood that all of thesupporting frame members and cross members are not shown or reerred toin detail in order to clarify the drawings and their exact arrangementmay be varied to accommodate production requirements. The seat Iii israised or lowered about the pivot 82 by a hydraulic cylinder 83 having apiston rod 8:1 pivotally connected to the seat back at 85. The hydrauliccylinder is pivotally supported at 86 to a bracket 8l' carried by thevertically extending portion 88 of the frame member 55. When the seatback I3 is raised or open, the hydraulic cylinder is pivoted slightly at86 n the direction of the arrow to cause a striker arm 88 to actuate amicro-switch 89 as will be referred to again in detail. Also when theseat I3 is closed or opened, a micro-switch 99 is aC- tuated. Themicro-switch 99 is designated as the latch switch and is shown on Fig. 6of the drawings. The seat back I3 is provided with a latching groove 30to cooperate with a latch 9| actuated by a solenoid 92 to release theseat latch when the solenoid 92 is energized. A mechanical register orcounter 93 is linked at Srl to the latch mechanism so that it willoperate each time the seat is opened and therefore will register eachcycle of opening and closing the seat.

It will be noted that the cycle register 93 is mounted behind the hingedside cover 24 which may be unlocked at 28 and raised to inspect theregister. Also mounted behind the cover 24 are the electrical timers 95and 96 which will be later referred to in detail in connection withFigures 6 and '7 of the drawings.

Mounted within the interior of the chair frame in any suitable positionare various other components, such as the hydraulic power systemincluding the fluid reservoir |00, pump motor ||J| and solenoid actuatedhydraulic valve |52 connected by flexible hoses |03 and m4 to thehydraulic cylinder 53. The enclosure for the electrical master controlswitch is generally shown inoutline at |05 and the coin selectormechanism is shown at |06 to be enclosed within the bot- The storagespace behind the door 8 is shown at |01 and is dened by the sheet metalWalls |08. The various elements of the electrical control circuit to bedescribed are mounted in any suitable manner (not shown) within thechair frame.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, wherein the hydraulicpower system and controlling or reversing valves are shown in detail, itwill be seen that an electric motor is connected by the coupling ||0 tothe hydraulic pump having inlet and outlet connections ||2 and ||3respectively. The pump inlet |52 is connected to the bottom of the uuidreservoir |00 while the outlet ||3 is connected at H4 to the hydraulicdistribution valve ||5 hereinafter to be referred to as the reversingvalve. Depending upon the position of the valve I5, fluid under pressureis supplied through either of the flexible hoses |03 or |04 to thehydraulic cylinder 83 to raise or lower the chair seat back 3 and thefluid pressure from the cylinder is returned to the reservoir |00through either conduit H6 or ||1. Since it may be desirable to operatetwo or more chairs as shown in Figure 1 from a single hydraulic powersource, the pump is provided with an additional outlet I I8 forconnection to another chair hydraulic control valve and the Iluid may bereturned to the reservoir through the tting H9 by removing the plug |20.

In order to control the valve ||5, a pair or solenoids and |26 areprovided. The armature |21 of solenoid |25 is connected to one end ofthe operating shaft |28 for the reversing valve ||5 and similarly thearmature |29 of solenoid |26 is connected to the other end of the valveoperating shaft. The solenoid valve assembly thus described is of thetype which will remain in the position to which it was last moved, afterthe solenoids are deenervgized, so that if the solenoid |25 is energizedand v subsequently deenergized, the valve will remain in the positionfor supplying iluid under pressure to conduit |04 and will thus tend toopen the chair seat back |3. Valve solenoid |25 may be designated as theup noid |26 may be designated as the down solenoid.

The electric control circuit for the chair is shown by the complementarywiring diagram of Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. Referring to Figure6, a slug rejector and a coin selector unit |5| are electricallyconnected together and function in a known manner in association with acoin return electro-magnet |52 to receive the proper coin and initiateoperation of the chair. The master control switch |53, when closed,connects the current source |54 to lines |55 and |56 so that until themaster control switch |53 is closed to prepare the chair for business,the coin return electro-magnet |52 is deenergized and a coin placed inthe coin slot 34 will be returned at the coin chute 35. The coinselector unit |5| is'of the type which will momentarily connect,

-through separate switches, lines |51, |58 and |59, with line |60 as thecoin passes through. The slug rejector |50 and the coin selector unit 5|may be of any well known, commercially available, types which providethe foregoing requirements, and therefore will not be described indetail at this time.

VReferring now to both Figure 6 and Figure '1 of the drawings, a numberof double pole double throw solenoid actuated switches or relays |10,|1|, |12 and |13 are shown in the normally deenergized position, beforea coin is deposited in:

position of the reversing solenoid and valve sole-` lof the type inwhich the the coin slot. Relay switch |10 may be designated as the pumpmotor control relay and relay switch |1| is the "reversing relay forcontrolling the solenoid actuated hydraulic reversing valve ||5. Relayswitch |12 is the chair use electric timer control and relay switch |13is the seat latch solenoid release and light control.

As previously described, micro-switches 14-18 are positioned under theseat |2 to be responsive to the weight of a person sitting in the chair.Thev seat micro-switches 14, 11 and 18 are connected in series and arenormally closed to be opened when the seat |2 is sat in or otherwiseused. Seat micro-switch 16 is also normally closed and adapted to beopen when the seat is used, while micro-switch 15 is of the normallyopen type and is positioned to be closed when the seat is used. Thelatch switch 99 is shown with its switch arm in the contact positionwhich it assumes when the chair is closed and the seat back I3 islowered down over the seat |2 to prevent access to the chair. The latchrelease solenoid. 92 is shown with its associated latch 9| andmechanical register 93.

Referring now to Figure 7 of the drawing, the foot rest micro-switchesB3 and 64 are connected in series and are of the normally open typeadapted to be closed when the foot rests are inserted in their sockets.The micro-switch 89 associated with the striker arm 88 is of thenormally closed type adapted to be opened when the seat back 3 is closedand locked in the down position. As shown in Figures 2 and 7 ofthedrawings, the striker arm 88 is associated with the hydraulic cylinder83 pivoted at 86 so that when the seat back |3 is fully raised, theswitch 89 and striker arm 08 are in the positions shown in Figure 7.

A master control clock timer is generally shown at |15 and includes asynchronous clock motor |16 having a rotor |11 and` shaft |18 driving acombined timer hand and switch contact 19. Associated with the timerhand contact |19 is an arcuate contact strip which may be adjustablypositioned with respect to the timer hand |19. The timer hand |19 isshown in the zero start position and the section of the arcuate contactstrip to the right of the timer hand may be adjusted in length toprovide electrical contact with the timer hand 19 for a period lof timewithin the range of, say, 5 to 60 seconds to give the customer time toenter the chair before the authorized time period. The clock timer |15is timer hand |19 returns to zero start position when the timer motorfield |16 is deenergized, but only after the timer motor has beenrunning for a period of substantially more than 60 seconds. The otherend of the arcuate contact strip |86 is also adjustable to providecontact with the timer hand |19 after a determinate time period of, say,5-30 minutes. The time period during which the timer hand |19 moves outof contact with the arcuate contact lstrip |88 is the authorized periodof time during which the chair may be used without a record of overtimeor seat interference. It may be desirable to adjust the length of suchtime period in the master control timer 15 in accordance with thedenomination of coin received in the coin selector |5|, although no suchmechanism is speciiically disclosed. Associated with the arcuate contactstrip |89 are the contacts of a double pole double throw relay l8| shownin the deenergized position, and having a relay coil |82 for moving thecontacts to the dotted line posiposition by means of cylinder 83.

4the dotted line position,

, through lines |92 second interval, the timer tion. The stepmicro-switch 60 is shown to be of the normally open type adapted to beclosed when the step I is used, and is connected to energize the mastercontrol timer when the step is used to gain access to the chair.

It is believed that the wiring diagram shown in Figures 6 and 7 may bebest described in connection with the operation of the control circuit.The master control switch |53 is closed and the current source is thenconnected to lines |55 and |56 to ready the chair for operation. Uponreceipt of a coin of proper denomination in the coin selector unit, therelay coil |85 of motor control switch |10 is momentarily connected andenergized through lines |86, |51, |60 to lines |55 and |56. The switcharms |81 and |88 are thus moved to the dotted line position,establishing a holding circuit for the relay coil |85 through line |89and the latch switch 99, and also connecting through switch arm |88,lines |95 and |92 to line |56. Thus the pump motor |0| is energizedthrough the normally closed seat switch 15, lines |9| and |92 to lines|55 and |56. At the same time the coil |93 of the latch control 4relay|13 is momentarily connected through lines |95, |50, coin selector unit|5I, line |60 to lines |55 and |56. The switch contacts of relay |13 arethus moved to the dotted line position to establish a holding circuitthrough lines |95 and |96 to lines |55 and |90 to maintain the relayenergized as long as there is current in lines |55 and |90. Theenergization of relay |13 connects lines |91 and |98 to energize thelatch release solenoid 92 to release the seat back I3 for upwardmovement. Seat lights |99 and 200 are also energized while the latchrelease relay |13 time that a coin is passing through the selector unit,the coil 202 of the reversing relay |1| is momentarily energized throughlines 203, |59 and |50 to lines |55 and |56, thus moving its switch armsto the dotted line position and establishing a holding circuit throughlines 203 and 204, normally closed seat switches 18, 11 and 14, line203, arm 206, switch contact 201, arcuate contact strip |80, timer hand|19 and line 208 to lines |90 and |56. The holding circuit for relaycoil 202 thus described is effective while the seat is unoccupied, andseat switches 14, 11 and 1B are closed until the timer hand has advancedfrom shown, to beyond contact with the Contact strip |30, which is theadjustable time period of 5-60 seconds previously mentioned for allowingthe customer to enter the chair. Energization of relay coil 292 alsoconnects the timer motor field |16 through lines 208, 209 and 2|0 tolines |55 and |90, thus energizing the master control timer and startingthe timer hand clockwise from the zero start position shown. The upsolenoid |25 is also energized through lines 209, 2I0 and 2I| to lines|55 and |90 to move the hydraulic valve to the up position.

With the above described sequence completed, upon payment of the coin,the seat back I3 is unlatched and is hydraulically raised to the open Assoon as the the latch switch 99 is moved to thus breaking the holdingcircuit for the motor relay |10, but maintaining the connection betweenlines |90 and |56 and 2 2 so long as the seat back vremains unlatched.Thus the pump motor |I seat back rises,

.continues to run with the seat back raised. In

used within the -60 hand |19 moves out the event the seat is not thezero start position l200 to lines |55 and |90.

8 of contact with the contact strip and the holding circuit for relaycoil 202 of the reversing relay |1| is broken, thus returning the relayswitch arms to the solid line position and deenergizing the master timerclock motor |16 and the up solenoid |25. The seat back remains in theopen position, due to the hydraulic pressure, since the pump motor |0Iis still running. rIhe master control timer remains in the position withthe timer hand |19 moved just out of contact with the contact strip |80.In the event the seat is used before the end of the 5-60 secondinterval, the normally closed seat switches 14, 11 and 18 are opened tobreak the holding circuit for the reversing relay coil 202 which returnsthe switch |1| to the solid line position shown, and

the seat switch 10 is opened, opening the pump motor circuit to stop thepump.

As soon as a customer steps on the step to use the chair, the normallyopen step switch 60 is closed to again energize the master control clocktimer motor |15 and start the timing of the authorized period of use forthe chair, during which the timer hand |19 moves out of Contact with thearcuate contact strip |80. At the same time the coil 2|5 of the timerrelay switch |12 is connected by lines 2 6, 2 I1 and 209 through the nowclosed step switch 50 to be energized from lines |55 and |90 when theseries connected foot rest switches 63 and 64 are closed by insertion ofthe foot rests I3 and i4. When the timer relay |12 is thus energized, aholding circuit is established through lines 2|6 and 2|1 to continue itsenergization until lines |55 and |90 are deenergized upon the latchingof the chair in the closed position. Thus the electric timercontinuously records the total time of chair use from the time the footrests are inserted in their sockets until the chair is again latched inthe closed position.

When the customer sits in the chair, the normally closed seat switch 16is opened to deenergize the pump motor until the seat is again vacated.At the same time the normally open seat switch 15 is closed to energizedouble pole double throw relay coil |82 and move switch arms 206 and 2|0to the dotted liney position to preset the operation of the electricovertime timer when the timer hand |19 passes beyond the adjustable 53() minute interval and ragain makes contact with the Contact strip |00to energize the overtime timer 06 through lines 2I0, 2|9, micro-switch89, lines 220, 222, switch arm 2|8, line 22|, Contact |80, timer hand|19 and line The overtime timer, when thus energized, continues to rununtil the seat back is lowered to cause striker arm'38'to open themicro-switch 89. Should the customer leave the chair seat and the seatnot be closed due to interference by the chair operator by deliberatelyholding the seat back up, the overtime timer will continue to recordthis interference time because the switch 89 will remain closed and therelay ISI will be deenergized by the opening of seat switch 15, so thatthe overtime or interference timer circuit is then traced from line |55through lines 2|0, 2|9, closed switch 09, lines 220, 222, 203, normallyclosed seat switches 18, 11, 14, line 204, switch arm 206, contact 201,arcuate contact |00, timer hand |19, line 208 to line |90. If the stepswitch 50 is not allowed to open, the timer |15 continues to run and theinterference is recorded as overtime, but if the step switch 60 isreleased and the seat back I3 is improperly held open, the timer hand|19 returns to zero and the interference time is reacnesi corded throughthe circuit as before described.

As previously described, after the customer has left the seat, the seatswitches revert to their normal positions shown on the drawings, therelay switch |8| is deenergized, and the pump motor is again energized.It should be pointed out that so lon'r as the step switch 60 is closed,the up solenoid |25 is energized. Therefore, if the' down solenoid isenergized because of closure of seat switches I8, 11 and 14 and overtimeContact is still established through the master control timer |75, withthe step switch 6|) still closed, the hydraulic valve ||5 will not bereversed because the energies oi both solenoids |25 and |26 will bebalanced against each other.

. After the step switch 6l) is opened when the 'customer leaves thestep, the up solenoid |25 is deenergized, the master clock timer hand|19 returns to zero start, and the down solenoid |26 is energized tomove the reversing valve and supply nuid pressure to the hydrauliccylinder in a manner to lower the seat back I3 to the normal positionoverlying the seat. When the seat back reaches its latching position,the latch switch 9S is thrown to the solid line position disconnectingline |90 from line |56 and therefore deenergizing the pump motor thelatch release solenoid 92, the reversing valve down solenoid, the chairuse timer 85, and the lights |99 and 2&0.

In view of the novel features of the automatic coin controlled chairdescribed above, an operator "of a shoe shining establishment equippedwith such chairs is assured of an honest revenue in his absence, becausethe chair of this invention J has been provided with coin controlledfeatures which authorize the use of the chair for a determined period oftime beyond which a record of overtime or chair interference time iskept. A timer for recording the total time of chair use has also beenprovided and by subtracting the amount of recorded overtime from therecorded time of chair use and dividing the resultant .ligure by thenumber of times the chair is opened cycle register, the

as indicated by the mechanical average shoe shining time may beascertained so as to indicate the enciency of the shoe shine boy. Alsothe use of the timers and register provides a check on the amount ofcoins in the coin box and the recorded overtime or interference time maybe charged against the shoe shine boy. Thus the use of the novel coincontrolled chair of this invention assures an edicient operation of ashoe shining establishment without constant personal supervision.

It'should be understood that the novel coin controlled chair operatingand register circuit of this invention is not limited to the exact chairarrangement which has been specically described. For example,counterbalance mechanisms, or electrical gearing may be used in place ofthe hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the chair back.Alternative circuit arrangements and other variations which attain achair control arrangement within the objects of the invention may alsobe used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdonned in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, movable meansnormally in a position to prevent access to said seat, coin responsivemeans to move said movable ,means to a position to permit access to saidseat for an authorized predetermined period of time, and means to re- 10cord the period of time of access to said seat beyond the authorizedperiod of time and means for stopping the operation of said last-namedmeans when said movable means is returned to the normal position,

2. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, movable meansnormally in a position to prevent access to said seat, coin responsivemeans to move said movable means to a position to permit access to saidseat for an .authorized predetermined period of time, means 'to countand register each operation of said coin responsive means to permitaccess to the seat, and means to record the period of time of access tosaid seat beyond the authorized period of time and means for stoppingthe operation of said last-named means when said movable means isreturned to the normal position.

3. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, movable meansnormally in a position to prevent access to said seat, `coin responsivemeans to move said movable means to a position to permit access to saidseat for an authorized predetermined period of time, means to record theperiod of time of actual use of said cha'` from the time the seat isused for the purpose intended until said movable means is returned tothe normal position, and means to record the period of time of access tosaid seat beyond the authorized period of time and means for stoppingthe operation of said two time recording means when said movable meansis returned to the normal position.

4. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, movable meansnormally in a position to prevent access to said seat, coin responsivemeans to move said movable means to a position to permit access to saidseat for an authorized predetermined period of time, means to count andregister each operation of said coin responsive means to permit accessto the seat, means to record the period of time of actual use of saidchair from the time the seat is used for the purpose intended until saidmovable means is returned to the normal position, and means to recordthe period of time of access to said seat beyond the authorized periodof time and means for stopping the operation of said two time recordingmeans when said movable means is returned to the normal position.

5. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivoted seatback movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlying Vsaidseat to a position permitting access to said seat, power means to movesaid seat back to and from said normal position, an electric controlcircuit for said power means, said control circuit including coinresponsive means to actuate said power means and move said seat backfrom said normal position for an authorized predetermined period oftime, `aV master control clock timer switch adapted to be energizedsimultaneously with said actuating means, an overtime recorder, saidmaster control clock timer switch having contacts adapted to be closedafter an authorized period of time of access to said seat and toestablish .a circuit for energizing said overtime recorder, and means tointerrupt said last named circuit when said seat back is returned to thenormal position.

6. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivoted seatback movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlying saidseat to a, position permitting access to said seat, power means to movesaid seat back to and from said normal position, an electric controlcircuit for said power means, said control circuit including coinresponsive means to actuate Said power means and move said seat backfrom said normal position for an authorized predetermined period oftime, means to count and register each actuation of said coin responsivemeans, a master control clock timer switch adapted to be energizedsimultaneously with said actuating means, an overtime recorder, saidmaster control clock timer switch having contacts adapted to be closedafter an authorized period of time of laccess to said seat to establisha circuit for energizing said overtime recorder, and means to interruptsaid last named circuit when said seat back is returned to the normalposition.

7. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivoted seatback movable from a normal seat access locking position overlying saidseat to a position permitting access to said seat, power means to movesaid seat back to and from said normal position, an electric controlcircuit for said power means, said control circuit including coinresponsive means to actuate said power means and move said seat backfrom said normal position for an authorized predetermined period oftime, a master control clock timer switch adapted to be energizedsimultaneously with said actuating means, an overtime recorder, a chairuse timer, said master control clock timer switch having contactsadapted to be closed after an authorized period of time of access tosaid seat to establish a circuit for energizing said overtime recorder,electric switch means responsive to the weight of the chair occupant toestablish a circuit ior energizing said chair use time recorder, andmeans to interrupt said two last named circuits when said seat back isreturned to the normal position.

8. In a coin controlled chair, the combination or a seat, a pivoted seatback movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlying saidseat to a position permitting access to said seat, power means to movesaid seat back to and from said normal position, an electric controlcircuit for said power means, said control circuit including coinresponsive means to actuate said power means and move said seat backfrom said normal position for an authorized predetermined period oftime, means to count and register each actuation of said coin responsivemeans, a master control clock timer switch adapted to be energizedsimultaneously with said actuating means, an overtime recorder, a chairuse timer, said master control clock timer switch having contactsadapted to be closed after an authorized period of time of access tosaid seat to establish a circuit for energizing said overtime recorder,electric switch means responsive to the weight of the chair occupantestablish a circuit for energizing said chair use time recorder, andmeans to interrupt said two last named circuits when said seat back isreturned to the normal position.

9. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivoted seatback movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlying saidseat to a position permitting access to said seat, power means to movesaid seat back to and from said normal position, an electric controlcircuit for said power means, said control circuit including coinresponsive means to actuate said power means and move said seat backfrom said normal position for an authorized predetermined period oitime, a master control clock timer switch adapted to be energizedsimultaneously with said actuating means, an overtime recorder, saidmaster control clock timer switch having contacts adapted to be closedafter an authorized period of time of access to said seat to establish acircuit for energizing said overtime recorder, electric switch meansresponsive to the weight of the chair occupant for actuating said powermeans to move said seat back to said normal position after the occupanthas left the chair, and means to interrupt said last named circuit whensaid seat back has returned to the normal position.

10. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivotedseat back movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlyingsaid seat to a position permitting access to said seat, power means tomove said seat back to and from said normal position, an electriccontrol circuit for said power means, said control circuit includingcoin responsive means to actuate said power means to move said seat backfrom said normal position for an authorized predetermined period oftime, means to count and register each actuation of said coin responsivemeans, a master control clock timer switch adapted to be energizedsimultaneously with said actuating means, an overtime recorder, saidmaster control clock timer switch having contacts adapted to be closedafter an authorized period of time of access to said seat to establish acircuit for energizing said overtime recorder, electric switch meansresponsive to the weight of the chair occupant for actuating said powermeans to move said seat back to said normal position after the occupanthas left the chair, and means to interrupt said last named circuit whensaid seat back has returned to the normal position.

l1. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivotedseat back movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlyingsaid seat to a position permitting access to said seat, power means tomove said seat back to and from said normal position, an electriccontrol circuit for said power means, said control circuit includingcoin responsive means to actuate said power means to move said seat backfrom said normal position for an authorized predetermined period oftime, a master control clock timer switch adapted to be energizedsimultaneously with said actuating means, an overtime recorder, a chairuse timer, said master control clock timer switch having contactsadapted to be closed after an authorized period of time of access tosaid seat and to establish a circuit for energizing said overtimerecorder, electric switch means responsive to the weight of the chairoccupant for actuating said power means t0 move said seat back to saidnormal position after the occupant has left the chair, electric switchmeans responsive to the weight of the chair occupant to establish acircuit for energizing said chair use time recorder, and means tointerrupt said two last named circuits when said seat back has returnedto its normal position.

'12. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivotedseat back movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlyingsaid seat to a position permitting access to said seat, power means tomove said seat back to and from said normal position, an electriccontrol circuit for said power means, said control circuit includingcoin responsive means to actuate said power means and move said seatback from said normal position for an authorized predetermined period oftime, means to count and register each actuation of said coin responsivemeans, a master control clock timer switch adapted to be energizedsimultaneously with said actuating means, an overtime recorder, a chairuse time recorder, said master control clock timer switch havingcontacts adapted to be closed after an authorized period of time foraccess to said seat and to establish a circuit of energizing saidovertime recorder, electric switch means responsive to the weight of thechair occupant for actuating said moving means to move said seat back tosaid normal position after the occupant has left the chair, electricswitch means responsive to the weight of the chair occupant to establisha circuit for energizing said chair use time recorder, and means tointerrupt said two last named circuits when said seat back has returnedto its normal position.

13. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivotedseat back movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlyingsaid seat to a position permitting access to said seat, a hydrauliccylinder connected to said seat back for moving said seat back to andfrom said normal position, a source of fluid pressure for operating saidcylinder and including a pump and an electric pump motor, a hydraulicreversing valve having two positions corresponding to the two positionsof the back for controlling the supply of fluid pressure from saidsource to said cylinder to cause movement of said seat back between saidseat back positions, electromagnetic tric control circuit for saidelectromagnetic means, said control circuit having coin responsiveswitch means to energize said electromagnetic means to move said valveto a position for supplying nuid pressure to said hydraulic cylinder soas to move said seat back from the normal position, said coin responsiveswitch means also being effective to energize said motor, an overtimetimer, a master contro1 clock timer having contacts automatically closed`after an authorized period of time to energize said overtime timer,switch means adapted to be closed by the weight of a person using thechair to energize said master control timer, said last named switchmeans also including switch contacts to vary the energization of saidelectromagnetic means after the chair has been vacated so as to initiatereturn of the back t its normal positionD and switch means responsive toreturn of the seat back to the normal position to deenergize saidelectric control circuit.

14. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivotedseat back movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlyingposition permitting access to said seat, latching means including anormally deenergized latching solenoid normally latching said seat backin said normal position, a hydraulic cylinder connected to said seatback for moving said seat back to and from said normal position, asource of fluid pressure for operating said cylinder and including apump and an electric pump motor, a hydraulic reversing valve having twopositions corresponding to the two positions of the back for controllingthe supply 'of fluid pressure from said source to said cylinof said seatback to either move said reversing valve to either of said positions, anelectric control circuit for said solenoids, said control circuit havingcoin responsive switch means to energize oneof said solenoids and movesai-d valve to a position for supplying fluid pressure to said hydrauliccylinder so as to move said seat back from the normal position, saidcoin responsive switch means also being effective to energize said motorand said latching solenoid to move said latching means to unlatchingposition, an overtime timer, a master control clock timer havingcontacts automatically closed after a predetermined period of time toenergize said overtime timer, switch means adapted to be closed by theweight of a person using the chair to energize said master controltimer, said last named switch means also including switch contacts tovary the energization of the other of said solenoids after the chair hasbeen vacated so as to initiate return of the back to its normalposition, and switch means responsive to the return of the seat backtothe normal position to deenergize said solenoid electric controlcircuit.

l5. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivotedseat back movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlyingsaid seat to a position permitting access to said seat, latching meansincluding a normally deenergized latching solenoid normally latchingsaid seat back in said normal position, a hydraulic cylinder connectedto said seat back for moving said seat back to and from said normalposition, a source of iiuid pressure for operating said cylinder andincluding a pump and an electric pump motor, a hydraulic reversing valvehaving two positions corresponding to the two positions of the back forcontrolling the sup-ply of uid pressure from said source to saidcylinder to cause movement of said seat back to either of said seat backpositions, a pair of electric solenoids adapted to be selectivelyenergized to move said reversing valve to either of said positions, anelectric control cir-cuit for said solenoids, said control circuithaving coin responsive switch means to energize one of said solenoidsand move said valve to a position for supplying Iluid pressure to saidhydraulic cylinder so as to move said seat back from the normalposition, said coin responsive switch means also being effective toenergize said motor and said latching solenoid to move said latchingmeans to unlatching position, an overtime timer, a register associatedwith said latching means to record each energization of said latchingsolenoid, a master control clock timer having contacts automaticallyclosed after an authorized period of time to energize said overtimetimer, switch means adapted to be closed by the weight of a person usingthe chair to energize said master control timer, said last named switchmeans also including switch contacts to vary the energization of theother of said solenoids after the chair has been vacated, so as toinitiate return of the back to its normal position, and switch meansresponsive to the return of the seat back to the normal position todeenergize said electric control circuit.

16. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivotedseat back movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlyingsaid seat to a position permitting access to said seat, a hydrauliccylinder connected to said seat back for movingl said seat back to andfrom said normal position, a source of fluid pressure for operating saidcylinder and including a pump and an electric pump motor, a hydraulicreversing valve having two positions corresponding to the two positionsof the back for controlling the supl ply of fluid pressure from saidsource to said cylinder to cause movement of said seat back to either ofsaid seat back positions, a pair of electric solenoids adapted to beselectively energized to move said reversing valve to either of saidpositions, an electric control circuit for said solenoid, said controlcircuit having coin responsive switch means to energize one of saidsolenoids and move said valve to a position for supplying iluid pressureto said hydraulic cylinder so as to move said seat back from the normalposition, said coin responsive switch means also being effective toenergize said motor, an overtime timer, a master control clock timerhaving contacts automatically closed after a predetermined period oftime to energize said overtime timer, switch means adapted to be closedby the weight of a person using the chair to energize said mastercontrol timer, a chair use timer adapted to be energized `through saidlast named switch means, said last named switch means also includingswitch contacts to vary the energization of the other of said solenoidsafter the chair has been vacated to initiate return of the back to itsnormal position, and switch means operable in response to return of theseat back to the normal position to deenergize said electric controlcircuit.

17. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivotedseat back movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlyingsaid seat to a position permitting access to said seat, latching meansincluding a normally deenergized latching solenoid normally latchingsaid seat back in said normal position, a hydraulic cylinder connectedto said seat back for moving said seat back to and from said normalposition, a source of iluid pressure for operating said cylinder andincluding a pump and an electric pump motor, a hydraulic reversing valvehaving two positions corresponding to the tv/o positions of the back forcontrolling the supply of iiuid pressure from said source to saidcylinder to cause movement of said seat back to either of said seat backpositions, a pair of electric solenoids adapted to be selectivelyenergized to move said reversing valve to either of said positions, anelectric control circuit for said solenoids, said control circuit havingcoin responsive switch means to energize one of said solenoids and movesaid valve to a position for supplying fluid pressure to said hydrauliccylinder so as to move said seat back from the normal position, saidcoin responsive switch means also being eiiective to energize said motorand said latching solenoid, to move said latching means to unlatchingposition, an overtime timer, a master control clock timer havingcontacts automatically closed after a predetermined period of time toenergize said overtime timer, switch means adapted to be closed by theweight of a person using the chair to energize said master controltimer, a 'chair use timer adapted to be energized through said lastnamed switch means, said last named switch means also including switchcontacts to preset the energization of the other of said solenoids afterthe chair has been vacated to initiate movement of the back to itsnormal position, and switch means responsive to the return of the seatback to the normal position to deenergze said electric control circuit,

18. In a coin controlled chair, the combination of a seat, a pivotedseat back movable from a normal seat access blocking position overlyingsaid seat to a position permitting access to said seat, latching meansincluding a normally deenergized latching solenoid normally latchingsaid seat back in said normal position, ahydraulic cylinder connected tosaid seat back for moving said seat back to and from said normalposition, a source of fluid pressure for operating said cylinder andincluding a pump and an electric pump motor, a hydraulic reversing valvehaving two positions corresponding to the two positions of said back forcontrolling the supply of uid pressure from said source to said cylinderto cause movement of said seat back to either of said seat backpositions, a pair of electric solenoids adapted to be selectivelyenergized to move said reversing valve to either of said positions, anelectric control circuit for said solenoids, said control circuit havingcoin responsive switch means to energize one of said solenoids and movesaid valve to a position for supplying Huid pressure to said hydrauliccylinder so as to move said seat back from its normal position, saidcoin responsive switch means also being effective to energize said motorand said latching solenoid to release said seat for movement from itsnormal position, a register associated with said latching means torecord each energization of said latching solenoid, an overtime timer, amaster control clock timer having contacts automatically closed after apredetermined period of time to energize said overtime timer, switchmeans adapted to be closed by the weight of a person using the chair toenergize said master control timer, a chair use timer adapted to beenergized through said last named switch means, said last named switchmeans also including switch contacts to preset the energization of theother of said solenoids after the chair has been vacated, to initiatereturn of the back to its normal position, and switch means responsiveto the return of the seat back to the normal position to deenergze saidelectric control circuit.

19, A coin controlled chair of the type having a movable chair membernormally in a position to prevent access to said chair, comprising incombination, a seat mounting step, coin responsive means to move saidchair member from the normal position and permit access to the chair, amaster control clock timer normally non-operative and having overtimeswitch contacts arranged to be closed after a predetermined period ofoperation of the timer, step switch means responsive to the weight of aperson on said step to render said clock timer operative, an overtimetimer energizable upon closure of said overtime switch contacts, aholding circuit for said overtime timer, means controlled by said stepswitch means for initiating the return of said member to the normalposition after the weight of the person is removed, and means responsiveto the return of said chair member to the normal position to deenergizesaid holding circuit.

20. A coin controlled chair of the type having a movable chair membernormally in a position to prevent access to said chair, comprising incombination, a latch member adapted to latch said chair member in saidnormal position, a seat mounting step, coin responsive means to unlatchsaid latch member and move said chair member from the normal position soas to permit access to the chair, a master control clock timer normallynon-operative and having overtime switch contacts arranged to be closedafter a predetermined period of operation of said timer, step switchmeans responsive to the weight of a person on said step to render saidclock timer operative, an overtime timer energizable upon closure ofsaid overtime switch contacts.

.trolled by said step a holding circuit for said overtime timer, meanscontrolled by said step switch means for initiating the return of saidmember to the normal position after the weight of the person is removed,and means responsive to the return oi said chair member to the normalposition to deenergize said holding circuit and latch said chair memberin the normal position.

21. The arrangement as set forth in claim 20, and register meansoperable each time said latch member is unlatched.

22. A coin controlled shoe shine chair or the type having a movablechair member normally in a position to prevent access to said chair,comprising in combination, a seat mounting step, a pair of removablefoot rests mountable on the chair, coin responsive means to move saidchair member from the normal position to permit access to the chair, amaster control clock timer normally non-operative and having overtimeswitch contacts arranged to be closed after cperation of said timer fora predetermined period of time, step switch means responsive to theweight of a person on said step to energize said clock timer, anovertime timer energized upon closure of said overtime switch contacts,a holding circuit for said overtime timer, means controlled by said stepswitch means to initiate the return of said member to the normalposition step switch and operable by said pair of foot rests to energizesaid chair use timer when said foot rests are mounted on the chair, aholding circuit for said chair use timer, and means responsive to thereturn of said chair member to the normal position to deenergize both ofsaid holding circuits.

23. A coin controlled shoe shine chair of the type having a chair membernormally in a position to prevent access to said chair, comprising incombination, a latch member adapted to latch said chair member in saidnormal position, a seat mounting step, a pair of removable foot restsmountable on the chair, coin responsive means to unlatch said latchmember and to move said chair member from the normal position to permitaccess to the chair, a master control clock timer normally non-operativeand having overtime switch contacts arranged to be closed after apredetermined period of operation of said timer, step switch meansresponsive to the weight of a person on said step to energize said clocktimer, an overtime timer energizable upon closure of said overtimeswitch contacts, a holding circuit for said overtime timer, meansconswitch means to initiate the return of said member to the normalposition after the weight of the person is removed, a chair use timer,switch means in series with said step switch and operable by said pairof foot rests to energize said chair use timer when said foot rests aremounted on the chair, a holding circuit for said chair use timer, andmeans responsive to the return of said chair member to the normalposition to deenergize both of said holding circuits and latch saidchair member in the normal position.

24. A coin controlled shoe shine chair of the type having a chair membernormally in a position to prevent access to said chair, comprising incombination, a latch member adapted to latch said chair member in saidnormal position, a seat mounting step, a pair of removable foot restsmountable on the chair, coin responsive means to unlatch said latchmember and move said chair member from the normal position to permitaccess to the chair, register means energized each time said latchmember is unlatched, a master control clock timer normally non-operativeand having overtime switch contacts automatically closed after operationor said timer for a predetermined period of time, step switch meansresponsive to the weight of a person on said step to energize said clocktimer, an overtime timer energizable upon closure of said overtimeswitch contacts, a holding circuit for said overtime timer, meanscontrolled by said step switch means to initiate the return of saidmember to the normal position after the weight of the person is removed,a chair use timer, switch means in series with said step switch andoperable by said pair of foot rests to energize said chairuse timer whensaid foot rests are mounted on the chair, a holding circuit for saidchair use timer, and means responsive to the return of said chair memberto the normal position to deenergize both of said holding circuits andlatch said chair member in the normal position.

25. A chair comprising a seat, an access controlling member for theseat, mechanism mounting said member for movement between a closedposition preventing access to said seat and an open position permittingaccess to the seat, iiuid operated means for moving said member betweensaid positions, electrically operated means for controlling said fluidoperated means, a circuit controlling said electrically operated means,means for latching said access controlling member in closed position,coin controlled means for disabling said latching means and forinitiating operation of said electrically operated means to move saidmember to open position, switch means in said circuit and operable bydisabling of said latching means for maintaining said electricallyoperated means in operation until said member reaches open position, andswitch means in said circuit and positioned in portions of said chairfor operation by the weight of an occupant to deenergize saidelectrical- 26. A chair as set forth in claim 25, said switch meansbeing operable when the customer leaves the chair for reenergizing saidelectrically operating means, and means controlled by said switch meansfor directing fluid to said fluid operating means to initiate return ofsaid access controlling member to closed position.

JEFFERSON D. FOWLER. RALPH A. VAUGHN.

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